This page contains references and links to all electronic communications among City staff, and between City staff, Norfolk Southern, and the community regarding the establishment and operation of the Ethanol Transloading Facility. The communications, furnished in response to requests made under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, cover the period from June 20, 2006 at 8 a.m. to May 29, 2008, at 5 p.m.

E-mail addresses and telephone numbers have been redacted to protect the privacy of residents and of City staff whose home and mobile phone numbers were included on the communications. To contact City officials or staff, please use the links on the left side of this page, or Contact Us.

Folks, If the City is acquiring the fire protection
equipment and supplies, they would be considered an emergency purchase.
The reason is we have no ability to provide fire protection at and
around the Norfolk Southern operation in the west end without these things.
We need them immediately.

Steve, if you need more in the way of
justification for this let us know.thanksMichele

(One of) the next step(s) with this deal is securing the enumerated equipment/supplies/training.

I'm not sure how we will accept/operationalize Norfolk Southern's donation
of equipment/supplies, but I know we need to make it happen ASAP, so I've
copied several folks on this email who might have the answer(s).

Please work with Chief North, NS, George McAndrews, and (anyone else?)
to make sure we identify any issues/concerns that need to be addressed.

We appreciate your positive response and look forward to working with NS
to secure the listed items as soon as possible.

We will provide (via email) a copy of the City Manager's memo to City Council
upon its release (expected later this morning).

Also, we will provide the date/time/location for the initial community
meeting, to discuss the ethanol transloading facility/operation, as soon
as it is determined (anticipated for next week). The City's expectation
for said meeting is that the NS representative(s) will take the lead on
presenting an overview of the facility/operation/safety characteristics;
City staff (including the Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director)
will be present to address relevant questions and discuss our partnership
with NS to protect the facility/community.

Finally, the City's present understanding is that NS (and/or the trucking
company/companies loading ethanol at the facility) will secure the haul
permits required by City ordinance without delay.

Thanks again and please feel free to call/email with any additional questions
or concerns.

As a follow up to our conference
call on May 9, 2008, Norfolk Southern has reviewed the attached list of
Ethanol Fire/Spill Response Equipment and Supplies provided by the Alex
andria Fire Department. In summary this list includes:

Dedicated F450 Tow Vehicle with
utility body

Foam Trailer with two loaded
330 gallon totes

Set of Foam Nozzle/ Eductors

Monitoring/Spill Control Equipment

Because neither Alex andria
nor any of the surrounding mutual aid jurisdictions have this equipment,
we plan to contribute these as well as the 1,640 gallons of AR-AFFF foam
on hand at the Norfolk Southern ethanol transloading facility to the Alex
andria Fire Department for general purpose use. Further, we recognize
some efficiencies could be gained by storing some of these items at the
Norfolk Southern site, and would offer that to you at no cost. If
the Alex :PersonNameandria Fire Department chooses to store any equipment
and/or foam at the facility site, such storage would be at :CityAlex andria
’s risk; we will not provide any security beyond what we actually provide
to the facility itself. In the highly unlikely event that the equipment
is used to respond to an incident at the Norfolk :City Southern ethanol
transload facility, :CityNorfolk Southern would replace any used foam.
In addition, we understand your desire to train Alex andria fire
fighters in dealing with railroad emergencies of all kinds. We would
be pleased to sponsor one attendee per year at the Transportation Technology
Center, Inc. (“TTCI”) Emergency Response Training Center.

Norfolk Southern continues to
value the relationship we have developed with the Alex andria Fire Department.
We believe that what we have offered, together with the design/build
of the facility itself, constitutes a very strong commitment to ensuring
adequate fire and spill protection. We look forward to continuing
to work with you to provide fact based information to the community.

Mr. Webb,
As requested during our phone conversation I have compiled the proposed
list of response equipment needed and provided specifications and
pricing.
The pricing, where applicable is based on current contract pricing
and/or
state contract pricing. I only addressed equipment needs, I will leave
training requirements and needs for you and Chief Thiel to address at a
later date. If after reviewing, you have any questions please contact me
on
my cell phone or e-mail and I will get right back to you.

Thank you for your support, I look forward to your reply and our moving
forward with this initiative.